If you want to start your own business and you enjoy cleaning, you may want to consider starting your own house cleaning business.  This is a business that is always in demand. Working families are overwhelmed with responsibilities and are having difficulty finding time for everything. Many people are looking for a house cleaning business that they can count on.

 

WHAT YOU WILL NEED TO GET STARTED

 

Before you begin, consider whether this business is really right for you. Are you in good physical condition? House cleaning can be hard work. Do you have the stamina to put in the hours needed to run your business?

 

The next thing to think about is your customer relations skills. You will need to be able to interact with all kinds of people. Some will be easy to get along with, but some will be difficult.

 

You will also need to be able to run the business aspects of owning a home business. This will include record keeping, advertising, and pricing your services to make a profit. Remember that transportation is an expense that you need to consider, besides cleaning products and supplies. Cleaning supplies can be purchased at wholesale or at a discount club to reduce expenses.

 

Make sure you know how to clean professionally. You may want to work at least part-time for a professional cleaning service to pick up tips.

 

Liability insurance is important to obtain to protect yourself in case of unintentional damage to someone else’s property. It will also protect you if you are accused of damage you didn’t cause.

 

You will need to determine what services you will offer. Some house cleaning businesses will do all kinds of cleaning including wash windows and shampoo carpets; others may want to simply dust, vacuum, make the beds, and provide other types of light cleaning services.

 

You will also need to determine whether you will charge by the job or the hour. You may want interview other cleaning agencies in your area to get an idea what services they offer and what they charge.

 

GETTING YOUR FIRST CLIENTS

 

Although a lot of people are looking for a house cleaning service, you won’t instantly have a full schedule. You may want to offer free or discounted services in exchange for recommendations or free advertising. Free services can be offered to churches or community centers. You are looking for at least a couple of references that you can provide to potential clients.

 

Until you have a full calendar, your job is to find clients. Place ads everywhere you can think of, including newspapers and public bulletin boards. Tell everyone you know that you are in business. Pass out business cards. You may want to consider starting a website to advertise your new business, or putting magnetic signs on your car.

 

Once you begin acquiring clients, remember to always treat them right. Make sure you are always on time and always act professional. Be very detail-oriented and thorough in your cleaning. There is nothing like word of mouth advertising.